Quebec mayor dies after being stung by wasps

Lucie F. Roussel, the mayor of La Prairie, Que., died Sunday after being stung by several wasps at her cottage.

The town of La Prairie, located a short drive south of Montreal, announced the mayor’s death in a statement Monday. Roussel stepped on a wasp nest while gardening on her property in Stratford and was stung multiple times. She was taken to a hospital in Thetford Mines and was pronounced dead later that day.

Roussel was involved in municipal politics for 15 years, first as a councillor and from 2005 onward as mayor. She also ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate in the 2012 Quebec provincial election.

Condolences have come in from Premier Philippe Couillard and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, who said he was “profoundly affected” by her death.

“In these difficult times, our thoughts are with the family of Ms. Roussel and especially her two children,” Coderre said in a statement.

Roussel was 51 years old. She is survived by her two children, 20-year-old Constance and 19-year-old Antonin.